Portable terminal apparatus for capturing only one image, and captured image processing system for obtaining high resolution image data based on the captured only one image and outputting high resolution image

Abstract

An image output apparatus receives a single piece of captured image data from a portable terminal apparatus, and carries out, in accordance with the single piece of captured image data received, a high resolution correction for creating high resolution image data which has a higher resolution than the single piece of captured image data. Then, the image output apparatus carries out an output process in which the high resolution image data created is outputted. This provides a captured image processing system which allows an image output apparatus to output an image captured by a portable terminal apparatus while the image is improving in resolution such as text readability.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A captured image processing system comprising:
 a portable terminal apparatus; and 
 an image output apparatus for receiving captured image data from the portable terminal apparatus, 
 the portable terminal apparatus including: 
 an image capture section for capturing an image of an object having a rectangular plane on which a text image is formed; 
 a captured image determination section for determining whether or not a single piece of captured image data which the image capture section has captured meets a given requirement; and 
 a transmission section for transmitting, to the image output apparatus, captured image data which is determined, by the captured image determination section, to meet the given requirement, 
 the given requirement including a requirement A, 
 the requirement A being such that features fall within a given range, the features indicative of a degree of a geometric distortion of the rectangular plane in the captured image data, the geometric distortion occurring when the image capture section captured image data by pointing the image capture section to the rectangular plane in an oblique direction with respect to a normal direction of the rectangular plane, 
 the image output apparatus including: 
 a receiving section for receiving, via a communication network, from a portable terminal apparatus including an image capture section, the single piece of captured image data which the image capture section has captured; 
 a correction processing section for carrying out a high resolution correction for preparing, in accordance with the single piece of captured image data received by the receiving section, high resolution image data which has a higher resolution than the single piece of captured image data; and 
 an output section for carrying out an output process in which the high resolution image data prepared by the correction processing section or an image indicated by the high resolution image data is outputted. 
 
     
     
       2. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a rectangular plane on which a text image is formed; and 
 the correction processing section (i) corrects a distortion of the rectangular plane in the captured image data, the distortion occurring when the image capture section captured image data in a direction different from a normal direction of the rectangular plane and (ii) carries out the high resolution correction. 
 
     
     
       3. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a rectangular plane on which a text image is formed; and 
 the correction processing section (i) corrects a lens distortion in which the rectangular plane has a curved edge in captured image data obtained by the image capture section and (ii) carries out the high resolution correction. 
 
     
     
       4. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the output section carries out, as the output process, a printing process in which an image which corresponds to the high resolution image data is formed on recording paper. 
     
     
       5. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the output section carries out, as the output process, a storing process in which the high resolution image data is stored in an external storage apparatus. 
     
     
       6. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a text image; and 
 the output section outputs the high resolution image data in a state where the high resolution image data is separated into (i) a region which corresponds to the text image and (ii) the other region and the regions are compressed at respective different compression ratios. 
 
     
     
       7. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a text image; and 
 the output section extracts a text from a region of the high resolution image data which region corresponds to the text image, converts the text to text data, and then outputs the high resolution image data to which the text data is added. 
 
     
     
       8. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the output section carries out, as the output process, an e-mail transmission process in which an e-mail, to which the high resolution image data is attached, is transmitted. 
     
     
       9. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a text image; and 
 the output section outputs the high resolution image data in a state where the high resolution image data is separated into (i) a region which corresponds to the text image and (ii) the other region and the regions are compressed at respective different compression ratios. 
 
     
     
       10. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein:
 an object whose image is captured by the image capture section has a text image; and 
 the output section extracts a text from a region of the high resolution image data which region corresponds to the text image, converts the text to text data, and then outputs the high resolution image data to which the text data is added. 
 
     
     
       11. The captured image processing system as set forth in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the given requirement includes a requirement B, 
 the requirement B being such that a skew angle of the rectangular plane in captured image data falls within a given range. 
 
     
     
       12. A portable terminal apparatus that communicates, via a communication network, with an image output apparatus,
 the image output apparatus including: 
 a receiving section for receiving a single piece of captured image data via a communication network; 
 a correction processing section for carrying out a high resolution correction for preparing, in accordance with the single piece of captured image data received by the receiving section, high resolution image data which has a higher resolution than the single piece of captured image data; and 
 an output section for carrying out an output process in which the high resolution image data prepared by the correction processing section or an image indicated by the high resolution image data is outputted, 
 said portable terminal apparatus, comprising: 
 an image capture section for capturing an image of an object having a rectangular plane on which a text image is formed; 
 a captured image determination section for determining whether or not the single piece of captured image data which the image capture section has captured meets a given requirement; and 
 a transmission section for transmitting, to the image output apparatus, captured image data which is determined, by the captured image determination section, to meet the given requirement, 
 the given requirement including a requirement A, 
 the requirement A being such that features fall within a given range, the features indicative of a degree of a geometric distortion of the rectangular plane in the captured image data, the geometric distortion occurring when the image capture section captured image data by pointing the image capture section to the rectangular plane in an oblique direction with respect to a normal direction of the rectangular plane. 
 
     
     
       13. The portable terminal apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 ,
 wherein the given requirement includes a requirement B, 
 the requirement B being such that a skew angle of the rectangular plane in captured image data falls within a given range. 
 
     
     
       14. The portable terminal apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a notification section for notifying a user of need to carry out capture an image again in a case where the captured image determination section determines that no given requirement is met. 
 
     
     
       15. A portable terminal apparatus that communicates, via a communication network, with an image output apparatus including an output section for carrying out an output process in which a single piece of captured image data received is outputted,
 said portable terminal apparatus, comprising: 
 an image capture section for capturing an image of an object having a rectangular plane on which a text image is formed; 
 a captured image determination section for determining whether or not the single piece of captured image data which the image capture section has captured meets a given requirement; and 
 a transmission section for transmitting, to the image output apparatus, captured image data which is determined, by the captured image determination section, to meet the given requirement, 
 the given requirement including a requirement A, 
 the requirement A being such that features fall within a given range, the features indicative of a degree of a geometric distortion of the rectangular plane in the captured image data, the geometric distortion occurring when the image capture section captured image data by pointing the image capture section to the rectangular plane in an oblique direction with respect to a normal direction of the rectangular plane.